Diaper Pad for Fecal Incontinence

[Mia's Mom]

Does anyone have experience with absorbent pads or garments for dog diapers?

Mia is becoming increasingly incontinent, and it's often been diarrhea. I bought her a nice diaper, but it's not going to be absorbent enough for that kind of a mess. I need a large, absorbent pad to go in it, but the ones made for it are for urine, and are too narrow.

I'm thinking a human incontinence pad or garment that I can cut to fit inside the diaper would work, but there were SO MANY choices at the drug store that I didn't know where to start.

I know lots of you have been through this. Any suggestions?

[Powell]

Big bed pads??


Powell

[sgtmom52]

When my Kodi had urinary incontinence due to DM we used the largest size Goodnites pull on panties for children. We cut an X for her tail to fit through. They kept her clean and dry all night. I'm not sure how well it would work for diarrhea.

[Woodreb]

I have this problem with Rica and I think that with diarrhea using a diaper would be a real mess. I use the puppy training pads and have her lay on them. It works for me because she's not very mobile and she spends most of her time laying on her bed. I just keep a pad or two under her when she's laying there.

If you look on this website, http://handicappedpets.com/www/index.php, you may be able to find some additional advice and ideas for how to handle the problem.

[BowWowMeow]

I would want to address the diarrhea first. Do you know what's causing it and are you giving her anything for it?

[Mia's Mom]

Thanks for the suggestions and links. I'll check them.

The diarrhea comes and goes. Her fecal smears and bloodwork are normal. She's been on and off probiotics, metronidazole, diarsanyl and loperamide. I've also tried a bland diet, but she won't eat cooked rice, even with hamburger or chicken in it. There is a Hills Prescription diet, but I hate Hills, even if she would eat it. She's always had a sensitive gut. I think it's getting worse as she gets older, and it's complicated because she can no longer control a soft stool.

[zyppi]

Try Orijen Six Fresh Fish -- and double check with your vet to see if vitamin B might help her.

[Mia's Mom]

Hi Zyp, why do you suggest the Orijen? Is there something about it that makes it better for a dog with Mia's condition? I see it has L. acidopholus and Enterococcus in it, but is there something else?

How tasty is it?

[middleofnowhere]

I share your sentiments about Hills Perscription Diet W/D but... it does work. I use it blended with other kibble to control stool texture in Barker the Elder. For the health of your dog, you might want to buck up to it. Although that statement sounds contradictory, getting them a food that passes through their digestive tract appropriately is very important in an aging dog. It outweighs the niceity of "premium" foods with those aesthetically and nutritionally preferred ingredients. (It took me a while to succume but HPD W/D works.)

Think of it this way - if eating whole foods, organically grown and whole grain pasta gave you chronic diarreah but some organic produce & grain supplemented by white flour something or other & a small cheeseburger kept your bowels in synch -- what would you feed yourself? The nutritionally "correct" but "not working for you" diet or the compromised diet?

[BowWowMeow]

Chama was having digestive problems so I started home cooking for her. That combined with a couple doses of slippery elm per day (in between meals) took care of the problem. I tried Metro but it didn't work. I agree about Hills. No way I would feed it.